News release from the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority:
Smith Field Airport hosts Boy Scouts of America aviation merit badge event
(August 15, 2014) – For the fifth consecutive year, Boy Scouts from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio spent today at Smith Field Airport (SMD) earning their aviation merit badge. To earn the badge, Scouts must perform a number of aviation-related activities, including learning about careers in aviation, airports and their runways, how to pre-flight an aircraft, and how to build a model aircraft. Scouts also toured the airfield, saw aircraft demos, and took a flight with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA).
“This event has proved to be a success every year we do it. It is great seeing the Scout’s being able to have a great time while achieving another merit badge,” said Joe Marana, Operations Manager at the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority. “We expect to have around 100 scouts and hope to have great weather for the event.”
“The Airport Authority is delighted to host the Boy Scouts at Smith Field and provide a hands-on learning experience about aviation, ” said Scott Hinderman, Executive Director of Airports for the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority. “The future success of the aviation industry is in educating our youth and hopefully inspiring some to seek a future career in aviation.”
The aviation merit badge is one of more than 130 badges a Boy Scout may earn. There are 10 requirements for earning the badge, all of which can be fulfilled at the SMD event. Visit www.scouting.org for a detailed listing of the requirements and to find out more about the Boy Scouts of America.
About Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority
The FortWayne-Allen County Airport Authority (FWACAA) was created in 1985 and is responsible for managing the Fort Wayne International Airport and Smith Field. In the last few years, FWACAA has undertaken an aggressive improvement plan at SMD, which includes a newly renovated terminal and the construction of a new aircraft maintenance training facility in partnership with Ivy Tech. Improvements also include the installation of an Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) in partnership with Parkview Hospital, the installation of a selfserve aviation fuel system, and various facility, electrical, storm water, and pavement improvements. The Authority is governed by a six-member board appointed by both the Mayor of FortWayne and the Allen County Commissioners. For more information about the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, visit www.FWAirport.com.
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